Traction wheel and chain



' c. E. FREDERlKsoN 'TRACTION lWHEEL AND CHAIN 2 Sheets-Sheet l y ff: y

omn 16, 192s.

' Y 1,687,834 c. E. FREDl-:RlcKsoN TRACTION WHEEL AND CHAIN Filed Nov.. 23, 1927 2A SheetsSheet 2 lNVENToR I BY "$75 ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 16, 1928.-

UNITED STATES CLAYTON IE. FREDERICKSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TRACTION WHEEL AND CHAIN'. j Y

Application filed November 231927. Serial No. 235,840.

My invention has for its object to provide a tractor chain of the truss-link type with provisions for causing the tie links (that join the ends of the arms of the traction links) to break with a gradual movement and with as little noise as possible and to provide means whereby when the links open (after passing around the wheels) they will open. with a slow motion and not snap open as is the case with chains heretofore used.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part-be referred to hereinafter.

-To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, my invention consists in the novel details of construction and in the combination, connection and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully describedand then pointed out in the appended claims.

Inthe drawings Figure 1 is aperspective view of a tractor wheel and chain employing. my invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged verticallongitudinal section showing the action of the wheel hub and cam-tie links in .breaking and straightening out the chain.

Figure 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 -of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the traction links.

Figure 5- is a diagrammatic vertical section illustrating the camming action of the cam-tie links; avoiding snapping during the straightening out of the chain.

In the drawings, in which like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the iigures, l represent the tractor wheels having spaced sides 2 whose peripheries 3 are provided with recesses 4 for the reception of the hinges of the traction links. The sides 2 of the wheel 1 are spaced apart by a hub 13 of cylindrical form and of such diameter as to cooperate with the cam-tie linksv hereinafter referred to.

Each of the traction links of the chain consists of a traction plate 6 having hinge ears 5 interconnected by hinge pins 14. Each link also includes an arm 7 bifurcated at its end as at 8 to permit reception of the ends of the connecting cam-tie links 9, the cam faces 50 10 of which face inwardly or toward the hubs of the wheels,

The cam-tie links 9-9 are pivotally conhold the traction links against disconnection and truss the chain so that where it extends between the pair of guide wheels the chain will lie substantially horizontally or straight;

tion in cooperation with the hubs of the wheels to break the chain where it passes around the wheels and in straightening out they prevent the chain from snapping to the straightened position, thus reducing wear and eliminating as much noise as possible.

- the' cam-tie links perform the second, funcyPractice has shown that with my construction of tractor chain and wheels, by reason of the action of the cam-tie links in cooperation with the wheel hubs the chain operates much more smoothly and with less noise than is the case with other types of tractor chains.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought the constructlon, o eration and advantages of my invention w' l be clear to those skilled 4in the art to which it relates.

What I claim is:

1. In a tractor, a bridge truss chain and wheel coo erating therewith, said wheel comprising a ub of relatively small diameter and side members having rim portions of relatively large diameter around whichthe chain passes, said side members being spaced apart, said chain comprising traction links having arms angles to the tread face oflthe 1ink,'an a pair of triangular connecting camlinks between and connecting adjacent arms, said connecting links having their apex projections side adapted to engage the hub of the wheel to break the links inwardly and retard opening of the traction links,l substantially as shown and described.

2. In tractor chain drives, the combination withbifurcated guide wheels having cylindrical hubs and rim members provided with chain receiving recesses; of a chain composed of traction'links, each of which inculdes a fiat faced traction plate and a truss 'arm projected at right angles to said extending inwardly at ri ht plate, each of said links having.' hinged eai's,'

pins hingedly connecting adjacent links at their ears7 cam-tie links located between the adjacent arms of said traction links, each of said cam-tie links having a lcam surface to engage with said hubs to break the chain' as it passes around the wheels and to vretard the straightening out of the chain on leaving the Wheels, said cam-tie links cam surfaces being cooperatively associated with the hubs of said wheels, al1 being arranged substantially as and Afor the purposes specified.

CLAYTON E. FREDERICKSON. 

